Ogun State government, in conjunction with National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), through State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has flagged-off distribution of food items, including maize, gari and sorghum to vulnerable persons in the state.
Speaking during the exercise at Agricultural Development Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said the programme was part of his administration’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the masses in the state, particularly in this economically challenging times, adding that it was a testament to the strength of national and state policies which prioritise the needs and welfare of the vulnerable.
Represented by the state Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Governor Abiodun informed that the initiative goes beyond commitment to delivering hope and security but symbolises the commitment to the principles of equity and compassion for which his administration was known.
He appreciated the NEMA for its usual support, assuring the people that his administration would not relent in its efforts to give succour to the people and fulfil the mandate sworn to the people before and during the electioneering period.
“At this economically challenging time, our administration is concerned with the duty we have as leaders to ensure the welfare of our citizens, especially those who face greatest hardship. The lingering economic situation had brought unprecedented challenges to citizens which we have the resilience and solidarity as a nation to go through to a happier and safer ending”, he said.
In her remarks, the Director General National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), Mrs. Subaida Umar, represented by the Zonal Director, Mr. Stephen Adewale, said the programme was in line with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu of reducing the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced by Nigerians.
She disclosed that 42,000MT of food commodities were released from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, while noting that the state has 780MT of maize, equivalent to 15, 600 bags of 50kg and 94MT of gari which is 3760 bags of 25kg.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Funmi Efuwape, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the palliative programme, saying it would go a long way to ameliorate the sufferings of vulnerable in the state, revealing that prior to this time, the state government had consistently seen to its citizens’ welfare through different palliative measures, including provision of Compressed Natural Gas to power mass transit buses to ease the high cost of transportation, sales of subsidised rice for Civil Servants and retirees, provision of food palliatives to vulnerable households across the three Senatorial Districts in the state and educational grants to 27,000 indigent students in tertiary institutions nationwide, among others.
Responding on behalf of other Local Government Chairmen, the Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Hon. Emilola Gazal, appreciated the federal and state governments for the laudable initiative of ameliorating sufferings of the people at this crucial time, pledging that the food items would reach the identified group through the constituted committees in each local government area of the state.
